When children become victims of crime, in a sense, we all become victims, because victimisation of children tears the social fabric of our society, the mutual trust and cooperation we need for a functioning, integrated community (Niland, 1999).
Even when a child or young person witnesses a crime, such as occurs daily when they see domestic violence; it can have a life-long impact.
Further factors which predispose a child to risk include:
- The (Young) age of the mother
- Domestic violence
- Lack of parenting knowledge
- Economic disadvantage
- Lack of social support
- Insecure attachment of the child to its mother and a previous record of child abuse in the family
- Single parent families
Most are aware of the importance of close and warm relationships between children and parents in the early years of life. A study by Loeber and Stouthamer-Loeber in 1996 found that child neglect is a greater predictor of juvenile involvement in crime than is child abuse.
Children who do not experience enough positive interaction with a parent in infancy are at high risk of growing into teenagers who do not have a sense of connectedness with their community.
Recognising signs of child abuse
There is no clear dividing line between one type of abuse and another. Children may show symptoms from one or all of the categories. The following is not a comprehensive or definitive list, but provides an indication of situations, which should alert you to a possible cause for concern:
Physical abuse
Physical abuse can take on various forms.
Warning signs include:
Neglect
Neglect occurs when the child‘s parents or carers do not consistently meet their needs for food, warmth, protection, stimulation, education and care, including their health needs. It may also occur when children are not helped with the development of their behaviour and emotions.
Warning signs:
- Child frequently appears hungry, asks for food
- A consistently unkempt, dirty appearance, smelly, poor hygiene
- Babies’ nappies not being changed frequently enough
- The child clothes are often dirty, scruffy or unsuitable for the weather
- Repeated failure by parents/carers to prevent accidental injury
- The child is left alone with unsuitable carers
- No one seeks medical help when the child is ill or hurt.
Sexual abuse
Sexual abuse involves forcing or enticing a child to take part in sexual activities, whether or not the child is aware of what is happening. Sexual abuse occurs when children are used by others to meet their own sexual needs, this might include sexual activity involving the child in pornographic material on videos or the internet.
Warning signs:
- Explicit or frequent sexual pre–occupation in talk and play
- Hinting at sexual activity or secrets through words, play or drawing
- Sexualised behaviour – for example, pretend sexual intercourse during play
- Sexual provocative relationships with adults
- Itching, redness, soreness or unexplained bleeding from vagina or anus
- Bruising, cuts and marks in the genital area
- Repeated urinary tract or genital infections.
Emotional abuse
Emotional abuse occurs when children are persistently denied love and affection. Children will be harmed if they are frequently shouted at, made to feel stupid, rejected, used as scapegoat or live in a violent atmosphere.
Warning signs:
- Very low self-esteem, often with an inability to accept praise or to trust adults
- Excessively clingy, withdrawn anxious behaviour
- Demanding or attention-seeking behaviour
- Over-anxious – either watchful, constantly checking or over-anxious to please
- Withdrawn and socially isolated
- Unwillingness to communicate
- Sudden speech disorders
- Repetitive, nervous behaviour such as rocking, hair twisting.
Supporting a child who tells about the abuse:
- Stay calm
- Ensure that the child is, and feels safe
- Seek necessary medical treatment without delay
- Tell the child they are not to blame – it’s not their fault
- Tell and show the child that they are being taken seriously – do not express disbelief
- Explain to the child that they have done the right thing to tell you
- Do not promise that you will be able to keep secret the things the child has told you – be honest and explain that it will be necessary to tell someone else
- Keep questions to a minimum and ask only open questions. For example: after noticing a mark on a child, ask: “How did that happen?” and NOT “Did Daddy do that?” This is a leading question.
- Use the child’s own words but check out with the child what they mean if this is unclear (for example, the child may have particular words for parts of the body)
- Repeat back to the child (as accurately as possible) what you have heard to check your understanding of what the child has told you.
- Ask the child if he/she has told their mum/dad/ other person these things
- Any child old enough to communicate directly should be asked how he/she hurt himself/herself. In younger children it is perfectly normal to ask the parent/ carer what happened where an injury is clearly visible.
- Tell the child what will happen next and what you intend to do.
Child Welfare Bloemfontein and Childline Free State
Physical address: 54 Aliwal street, Bloemfontein
Toll-free hotline: 08000 55 555
T: +27 51 430 3311
E: Reception@childwelfarebfn.org.za
W: http://www.childwelfarebfn.org.za/
Further reading:
- Niland, C. (1999) Children and victimisation- Local responses to Global concerns. (Paper presented at the Children and Crime: victims and offenders Conference convened by the Australian Institute of Criminology) Retrieved on http://.
- Recognizing Signs of Child Abuse and what to do (n.d). A guide for childcare providers, Retrieved on November 14, 2013 from http://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk
- Recognizing Child Abuse and neglect: Signs and Symptoms. Retrieved November 14, 2013 from http://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/factsheets/signs.cfm/